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Quarterback Play
---Unlike last years playoff matchup, we'll see two quarterbacks who can both really sling it. If the defenses are still in pre-season form, we can very well see a shootout. No doubt we'll see a ton of passing by both offenses, so the QB who protects the ball best could end up the winner.

Offensive Line Play
---Both teams have a great pair of pass rushers. For the Steelers its Woodley and Harrison from the 3-4 outside linebacker spots. For the Broncos, its Elvis Dumervil from the right end, and Von Miller from the strongside linebacker spot, and sometimes the left end spot. So the question is not whether or not these defenses can rush the passer, we know they can. The real question is, which offensive line will better protect their quarterback. Neither team has a great offensive line. The unit playing better in both run blocking and pass blocking will have a big effect on their teams success.

I love the rematch aspect, but this will be a DIFFERENT game. Their DC underestimated Tebow, now they have to deal with Peyton. I can easily see them under-estimating our running game to compensate, which has more bite w/o 8 men in the block.

As for the their D, they still have one of the best LBer unit in the NFL, one of the best SS in the game, yet their starting FS has to stay in PITT because of an ailment. Their D-line isn't as good as years past IMO.

While I see this a c;lose game again, I see us coming out on top, 28-23

Elliot - AWESOME gamethread man. Maybe the best I have ever seen on this site. The effort is definitely appreciated.

I mentioned in the Steelers thread that I think our ability to stop the run is going to be the key to this game. If we let the Steelers gain big chunks on the ground it not only keeps PFM off the field, but also leave us REALLY exposed to the Steelers explosive Play Action passing game. Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown probably get behind Defense's off Play Action more than any pair in the NFL, so that is a huge concern if we are having to start cheating against the run.

On the flip side, if we can force 3rd and long then Big Ben is going to have to get ready to be hit early and often. Max Starks and Marcus Gilbert simply aren't going to be able to handle Elvis and Von in obvious passing situations.

I am so excited for this game, but unfortunately I am not going to be able to watch it with you guys. It starts at 1.20am Monday morning here in the UK, so I will be getting up at around 5.30 am to watch the recording of it.

Is Harrison expected to play I wonder? I'm curious to see what the Pittsburgh's subpackage blitzes will look like. In pre-season Pittsburgh rather frequently would line Timmons outside and use him as a primary pass rusher(where the OLB Chris Carter would either cover a back or blitz if the back stayed in to block). Will they do the same with Harrison as Carter or does that just mean Timmons will be covering more? They played a lot of varying nickel sets, often times they like to keep only 2 D-Lineman(Keisel and Hood most likely) and have 4 Linebackers out there.

I don't know how our players(Center over to the right) are going to be able to hold up against the Steelers stunts and blitzes so perhaps a conservative gameplan would do us best? Pittsburgh fans have been hyping McClendon but my impression is a guy who does good against average interior linemen and not so good against good ones. I think we can get some movement in the run game. So long as we don't have Tight Ends isolated against Harrison or Woodley.

In the Playoffs last year their receivers didn't kill us, maybe it was because Roethlisberger wasn't healthy but I'm still a bit worried about how we will match against Wallace and Brown. It will be a good test. Porter is much more athletic than Goodman and it will help against those quick receivers(which Pittsburgh did a poor job of taking advantage of last season, Emmanuel Sanders should have played more because Goodman struggled with him, much more of a matchup problem than Cotchery).

We don't have DJ, which means our nickel linebackers are going to be Mays and Woodyard. I'm honestly not looking forward to seeing these guys try to tackle Ben Roethlisberger, so hopefully Dumervil and company bring down Ben and prevent him from getting loose.

If Harrison plays, I expect holding penalties on Clady and I also expect Chris Rainey is going to make some mistakes for the Steelers. Also it's a big plus for us that the Steelers good Safety isn't playing, because his replacement in Mundy sucks as a starting Safety._________________Stop slobbering over Brian Dawkins

Steelers players could come out with mentality of getting back at us for last year which could go both ways. But I feel the best way to approach this game is that it is the first step in winning the SB.

I can't wait to see Manning play 4 quarters of football, it will be interesting how much no huddle is played as it will probably be a gauge as how much we will run it throughout the year. More importantly I cant wait for Prater time again. With Manning at the helm I expect a few more chip shots if any but if he can land a 53yd as his first FG of the season well I'll go nuts

This will definitely be a close game. Pittsburgh does not have a particularly adept offensive line, and even less so with the injuries now. Ryan Clark being out is of course a benefit to us, even though it's unfortunate that he has to be for health reasons.

Wallace won't be in full force, that's a plus for us. They don't have a great running threat with Mendenhall out, though I do like Isaac Redman. I think that we may get lucky playing Pittsburgh now, rather than Week 10, say. Also, better believe this crowd will be fired up for Manning's first home game, and the return of a playoff team from last year. Oh, and it's prime time.

Despite a pass happy league, I think this game comes down to who runs the ball the best. I agree with whoever said McGahee will be the MVP of the game. I think if the Steelers cannot find their running game and it seems like they are a bit dinged up in that area, the Broncos can win.

If Big Ben has to throw, and even though I see him as a quality passer, I think the DB's will have a great game, in part, because like lomax said, Von and Doom will have fun chasing the clock around.

I could see this game being very close, because these teams seem pretty evenly matched. I always hope for the season opener to be a blow out and perhaps we see the kind of team we will see all season in the 1Q 49ers preseason game, where Manning makes a lot of short throws, a few longer throws, yet a whole of steadiness and Manning getting everyone involved kind of a game...I would appreciate that...if they can replicate that kind of offense then I predict a 68-28 victory for the Broncos._________________Ninja stealth muggers in the Bellagio has left me in a state of congitive disonance...